Floyd County businesses team up to protect paws

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) – As the Betty White Challenge brought people across the country to animal shelters on Monday to mark the actresses’ 100th birthday, some Floyd County businesses were ahead of the curve with their own challenge.

When board members at the Floyd County Animal Shelter announced it was at capacity last week – raising concern about the potential euthanasia of animals – representatives from Pop’s Chevrolet and Buick and Copperhead Guns and Range have come together to lend a hand.

“So I immediately started making phone calls to see what I could do to help out in this time of need for the animal shelter,” said Allen May, salesman at Pop’s Chevrolet and Buick. “Because everyone has fur babies. You know, I have my fur baby right here and it’s like having family. So that’s the last thing we want to see is a puppy, cat, or any type of animal being euthanized just because it can’t find a home.

May and Aaron Scott of Copperhead contacted Josh Thornsberry, president and owner of Weststar Lubricants.

“We kind of set up an idea where Copperhead and Pop’s could waive the fee,” Scott said. “And with every adopted dog, my buddy Josh here gave away a bag of dog food.”

The three made a Facebook post, informing the region of the mission. From there, they saw a community pouring in to follow suit. Other businesses and organizations have donated to the shelter, and a public call to adopt or volunteer has sparked interest everywhere.

“We had a lot of people sharing to help spread the word and our community really came together as a whole,” May said.

Within the week, they say around 23 animals have been listed as tentatively adopted, with nine dogs and eight cats officially in new homes.

“Most importantly, or equally important, we have located four additional rescue programs that we were not aware of before. And they did contact us. So this now gives us a better opportunity to be able to let these animals go to other rescues in other parts of the country,” said Missy Allen, ARPA Grants Director of Special Projects.

The men said seeing the response to their call to action was amazing.

“Walking the other day and seeing the signs that said ‘Adopted?’ It would pretty much bring a tear to your face,” May said.

“It was the greatest feeling in the world,” Scott said.

Being part of companies with a mission to give back to communities is something that makes men proud.

“The owner here, Bryan Nelson, I’m very grateful to work for him. Because he’s also an animal lover and it’s great to know that an owner will be happy to step in and help out in your community,” May said. “People don’t realize what Pop’s Chevrolet, Copperhead and Weststar are – not only do we provide jobs for hundreds and hundreds of people, but at the same time we give a lot to the community.”

They said they encourage other companies to “give back and pay up front”.

“I still challenge all businesses in Floyd County to continue to help out,” Scott said.

Companies are being celebrated by shelter representatives for taking the lead in propelling the movement.

“It was overwhelming — that’s the best word I have for it — to know that they would care so much, that they were going to basically put their money where their mouth was,” Allen said.

Although the costs are covered through March through the donation, animal shelter officials say this is not a take-home puppy situation. They always work to ensure animals are taken to responsible and safe homes.

And, although adoptions are increasing, officials say the number of animals taken to the shelter feels like an endless cycle, as the overpopulation problem extends to stray animals in the area as well. This is part of the reason the shelter plans to expand into a new location.

Allen said donations and support go a long way, especially as the council raises money to build the space.

“Judge (Robbie) Williams is very committed to this program and we work very hard. We now have more people actively working on our board and our focus this first quarter of this year is public awareness,” she said.

The building fund has received donations as large as a recent pledge of $100,000 – on a project estimated at $300,000-$500,000 – and work is underway to put boots on the ground.

“And then we probably still have $20,000 to $25,000 that we have in our build fund,” Allen said. “To my knowledge, there has never been a grant or anything approved for an animal sanctuary. So everything that has been done has been at the local level.

The previously mentioned Betty White Challenge also helped the cause, bringing in around $1,000 in donations on Monday.

“I think Betty White is iconic. She loves animals and she was sincere in her concern for animals,” Allen said. “Everyone loved her, so I think it’s just a way of honoring her .”

Whether you choose to follow the lead of the Golden Girl or the group of guys, the animal shelter always accepts donations, volunteers and new families to give homes to pets.

“Don’t let this be just a one-time thing,” May said. “Make it exceptional from now on. We want the best for these animals. They are just as much family as most humans are.

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